Microsoft executive explains why PS4 is outselling Xbox One

In response to the most recent monthly sales figures for the US videogame industry from sales tracking firm The NPD Group, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi wrote that five million Xbox One consoles had been sold-in to retailers around the world since the machine’s launch in November 2013, meaning that five million units had made their way into the retail channel:

“The new generation is off to a strong start,” Mehdi continued, “with global Xbox One sales outpacing Xbox 360 by more than 60 percent at the same point in time, a true testament to your love of console gaming.”

The day before Mehdi’s post, however, Sony had revealed that seven million PlayStation 4 consoles had been sold to consumers – not just retailers – representing a much more reliable sales figure.

Why the disparity between the two consoles?

In an interview with Forbes recently, Yusuf Mehdi outlined the reasons he thinks that the Xbox One is behind the sales of the PS4, pointing out that “[Sony is] in many more markets right now than [MIcrosoft is]. They’re in 40+ markets, we’re in 13.”

Mehdi also offered a rather peculiar reason for the sales disparity, claiming that “[people] have been more satisfied with the Xbox 360 than the PS3, so in that respect people have less of a need to upgrade in the short term due to regular updates for the Xbox 360.”

Mehdi is confident, however, that sales will see an uptick now that the Xbox One will become available for $399 – the same price as a PS4 – in a new bundle without Kinect:

“I do think we’re going to get people now who move over, and then buy the Kinect later,” Mehdi continued. “So I do think the [price point] broadens the appeal and hopefully brings more people to Xbox One sooner.”

What’s the Difference Between PS4 and Xbox One, Really?

The Microsoft executive also spoke about the main differences between Microsoft and Sony’s approach to the new generation of consoles, saying that he thinks Xbox One has “got the best games line-up,” claiming that “Xbox Live Gold is the best place to come play with your friends.” Mehdi also touched on the Xbox One’s use as “an all-in-one entertainment device,” continuing on to say that “A lot of the things you do with entertainment you just can’t even do on other systems.”

“And finally,” Mehdi wrapped up, “you can still add on Kinect to create all these additional experiences with voice commands, biometric recognition, recording gameplay and more.”

What do you think is the reason behind the sales differences between the Xbox One and PlayStation 4? Is it as clear-cut as Mehdi says and do you agree that Xbox One has a better games line-up than the PS4?